Red meat - plugging the nutrition gap

New study highlights crucial role of red meat in plugging the nutrition gap

Millions of people in the UK are putting their health at risk because of inadequate intakes of vital vitamins and minerals, a new study has revealed. But the research also highlights just how important the role of red meat is in the diet in helping to cover this nutrition gap.

Meat has been a staple part of the human diet since the dawn of mankind, but in recent years there has been some debate over whether too much red meat can raise the risk of health problems. Now a team of researchers has studied the issue of meat in the diet to help gauge just how important it is for a healthy mind and body -- as well as the crucial nutrients that red meat in the diet brings.

The latest study found that data from dietary surveys indicates that UK diets for people of all ages can be worryingly low in nutrients normally found in meat, such as vitamin A, vitamin D, iron, magnesium, zinc, selenium and potassium. The researchers say that integrating red meat into diets across the age spectrum, from infanthood to old age, may help to narrow the present gap between vitamin and mineral intakes and recommended levels. In addition, there is emerging evidence that nutrients commonly found in red meat may play a role in supporting cognitive function, immune health and addressing iron deficiency.

Independent dietician Dr Carrie Ruxton, together with Emma Derbyshire, Senior Lecturer in Human Nutrition, Manchester Metropolitan University and Prof Robert Pickard, Emeritus Professor of Neurobiology, University of Cardiff, studied data from 103 previous scientific research papers. Many of the previous studies drew from the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) -- now an annual rolling programme which provides a valuable insight into the nutritional quality of modern diets. The new paper entitled The seven ages of man -- is there a role for meat in the diet? will be published in the British Nutrition Foundation's Nutrition Bulletin.